Guidance on accommodating children in need and their families

Section 22B sets out the duty of the responsible authority to maintain a looked after child in other respects apart from providing accommodation.

Section 22C sets out the ways in which the looked after child is to be accommodated.

Other routes that could lead a child into the looked after system include: The functions of local authorities in relation to children who are ‘looked after’ by them are set out in the 1989 Children Act and associated regulations and guidance.

Specifically in relation to this information page, the principle regulations is the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010.

In simple terms, ‘corporate parenting’ means the collective responsibility of the council, elected members, employees, and partner agencies, for providing the best possible care and safeguarding for the children who are looked after by the council.

Looked after children are amongst the most vulnerable in society.

a relative, friend or other person connected with the child, reflecting the principle that children should, wherever possible be brought up in their families and communities, if they cannot remain with their parents.Section 22D imposes a duty on the responsible authority to formally review the child’s case before making alternative arrangements for accommodation.A key principle of the 1989 Children Act is that that children are best looked after within their families, with their parents playing a full part in their lives, unless compulsory intervention in family life is necessary.It is important that children are actively engaged in the care planning process because the decisions that adults take will ultimately be effecting them.Close involvement will make it more likely that the child feels some ownership of what is happening and it may help them to understand the purpose of services or other support being provided.